Summer school registration closes at 3:00 this Thursday. If you are thinking about signing your child up, please make sure you do so before this date.
I feel that summer school is a beneficial experience for all students. Our district offers literacy and math classes, as well as a variety of enrichment opportunities for students.
All families can register their children online using Infinite Campus.
If you have any questions about summer school, or need help registering your child, please contact me or our office!
Monday, March 30, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Weekend Update!
On Friday during math students learned about symmetry.
This is an overview of our math lessons this week...
*Monday - Unit 7 Review
*Tuesday - Unit 7 Assessment
*Thursday - math games
During science on Friday we wrapped up our exploration of liquids. This week we will further study solids, liquids and gases.
Students will continue to write their opinion reviews. I will be collecting their finished reviews on Thursday.
This week I will not be meeting with students for guided reading groups. I will instead spend time checking in with students individually to informally assess their current oral reading and comprehension abilities.
Our field trip to the Building for Kids in Appleton is this Wednesday! We will be leaving school around 8:40. Students will still have time for milk and snack before we leave. If you checked that you would be providing a lunch from home, please be sure to send a bag lunch with your child on Wednesday. We are scheduled to arrive back at school around 1:30. I'm looking forward to this day of hands-on learning!
Reminder: We have no school Friday, April 3rd through Friday, April 10th. School is back in session on Monday, April 13th!
This is an overview of our math lessons this week...
*Monday - Unit 7 Review
*Tuesday - Unit 7 Assessment
*Thursday - math games
During science on Friday we wrapped up our exploration of liquids. This week we will further study solids, liquids and gases.
Students will continue to write their opinion reviews. I will be collecting their finished reviews on Thursday.
This week I will not be meeting with students for guided reading groups. I will instead spend time checking in with students individually to informally assess their current oral reading and comprehension abilities.
Our field trip to the Building for Kids in Appleton is this Wednesday! We will be leaving school around 8:40. Students will still have time for milk and snack before we leave. If you checked that you would be providing a lunch from home, please be sure to send a bag lunch with your child on Wednesday. We are scheduled to arrive back at school around 1:30. I'm looking forward to this day of hands-on learning!
Reminder: We have no school Friday, April 3rd through Friday, April 10th. School is back in session on Monday, April 13th!
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
This week...
I was out of the building on Monday. I got a report from my substitute saying that most students were hard workers throughout the day!
During math this week we have been learning about 2D and 3D shapes. Students learned about polygons vs. non-polygons. Today we learned about three 3D shapes: sphere, cylinder and rectangular prism. Tomorrow students will be introduced to the cube, pyramid and cone. Students have also continued to practice addition skills and strategies throughout the week!
During science we have continued to explore liquids. Yesterday students did 'drop races' with the liquids and today students mixed liquids together. Students were surprised by what happens when you mix oil and water! Tomorrow students will be exploring corn syrup and red shampoo.
We have been learning about writing reviews and persuasive writing. All students have begun to write a persuasive opinion piece. My model piece started with the topic sentence - "I think the best restaurant is the Olive Garden." Some students chose to write about what they think is 'the best' movie, sport, food, restaurant, video game, or something else.
Make sure your child is reading at least 20 minutes each evening. The best way to continue to improve reading skills is to read, read, read!!!
Friday is a spirit day! Students are encouraged to dress like a teacher! They can be creative... dress like a gym teacher, music teacher, art teacher, math teacher, etc!
During math this week we have been learning about 2D and 3D shapes. Students learned about polygons vs. non-polygons. Today we learned about three 3D shapes: sphere, cylinder and rectangular prism. Tomorrow students will be introduced to the cube, pyramid and cone. Students have also continued to practice addition skills and strategies throughout the week!
During science we have continued to explore liquids. Yesterday students did 'drop races' with the liquids and today students mixed liquids together. Students were surprised by what happens when you mix oil and water! Tomorrow students will be exploring corn syrup and red shampoo.
We have been learning about writing reviews and persuasive writing. All students have begun to write a persuasive opinion piece. My model piece started with the topic sentence - "I think the best restaurant is the Olive Garden." Some students chose to write about what they think is 'the best' movie, sport, food, restaurant, video game, or something else.
Make sure your child is reading at least 20 minutes each evening. The best way to continue to improve reading skills is to read, read, read!!!
Friday is a spirit day! Students are encouraged to dress like a teacher! They can be creative... dress like a gym teacher, music teacher, art teacher, math teacher, etc!
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Good Evening!
Today in math we continued to discuss the properties of attribute blocks. Students have also been continuing to practice their addition and subtraction skills. Tomorrow we will work on identifying two dimensional shapes. Students will also learn a new game called 'Difference Concentration'. Any types of concentration games are great to play at home to practice holding facts in your head and memory skills!
Today in science we began our exploration of liquids. Students began by brainstorming a variety of liquids. Then students explored the properties of water and glue. Tomorrow students will further investigate water and glue, as well as cooking oil and shampoo. Students are really enjoying the experiments!
During writing we began discussing writing reviews. We brainstormed a variety of things people could write review of, such as: games, restaurants, stores, toys, books, movies, parks, sports, and more. Ask your child what they are going to write their review about! Tomorrow students will begin writing their reviews!
Friday evening at 6:00 the PTO is showing a movie in the gym!
Today in science we began our exploration of liquids. Students began by brainstorming a variety of liquids. Then students explored the properties of water and glue. Tomorrow students will further investigate water and glue, as well as cooking oil and shampoo. Students are really enjoying the experiments!
During writing we began discussing writing reviews. We brainstormed a variety of things people could write review of, such as: games, restaurants, stores, toys, books, movies, parks, sports, and more. Ask your child what they are going to write their review about! Tomorrow students will begin writing their reviews!
Friday evening at 6:00 the PTO is showing a movie in the gym!
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Wonderful Wednesday!
We have been busy learners this week!
On Monday we reviewed all Unit 6 math concepts. Students took the end of unit assessment yesterday. Today we will be starting Unit 7. The main theme of Unit 7 is geometry. We will begin today by discussing attributes of shapes. Some of the attributes we will discuss include: shape, size, color and thickness.
During science we have been continuing solid experiments. On Monday students tested the solids to see if they would sink or float. Yesterday students tested the solids to see if they were magnetic. Students have been doing a great job using materials appropriately and recording their findings. Students are given time after each experiment to reflect through writing. Today students will be given two new solids and asked to conduct experiments to determine their properties!
During writer's workshop students have continued to write their opinion piece about the best pet. All students will turn in their writing today. Be sure to ask your child what they think is the 'best pet' and what their reasons are.
Reminders!
*There is a PTO meeting this evening at 5:00.
*PTO is sponsoring a movie night on Friday starting at 6:00. Click here for more information
On Monday we reviewed all Unit 6 math concepts. Students took the end of unit assessment yesterday. Today we will be starting Unit 7. The main theme of Unit 7 is geometry. We will begin today by discussing attributes of shapes. Some of the attributes we will discuss include: shape, size, color and thickness.
During science we have been continuing solid experiments. On Monday students tested the solids to see if they would sink or float. Yesterday students tested the solids to see if they were magnetic. Students have been doing a great job using materials appropriately and recording their findings. Students are given time after each experiment to reflect through writing. Today students will be given two new solids and asked to conduct experiments to determine their properties!
During writer's workshop students have continued to write their opinion piece about the best pet. All students will turn in their writing today. Be sure to ask your child what they think is the 'best pet' and what their reasons are.
Reminders!
*There is a PTO meeting this evening at 5:00.
*PTO is sponsoring a movie night on Friday starting at 6:00. Click here for more information
Friday, March 13, 2015
Exploring Solids
Here are some pictures from this week from science. During this experiment the students needed to rank the solids from hardest to softest. Most groups decided the pipe clinger was the softest and the steel ball was the hardest!
The last few days...
We were busy learners the past few days!
During math we reviewed telling time. The students were introduced to telling time to the nearest five minutes. In first grade students are expected to become 'experts' on telling time to the hour and half hour only. We also practiced graphing skills.
During science we continued our exploration of solids. Students did experiments to test if their solids were able to roll, stack or do both. Students also were asked to rank their solids from softest to hardest. Students are keeping track of their experiments and learning in a science journal.
During writer's workshop we continued to work on our opinion writing about 'the best pet'.
During reading we finished reading Recess at 20 Below and student participated in independent literacy stations while I met with guided reading groups.
Thursday was 'Read Your Shirt Day'. We had almost all students participate! It was fun to have all students read their shirts! The students were curious about my 'Freezin' for a Reason' Polar Plunge shirt and I had to show them the picture of my jump - BRRR!!!
Enjoy the long weekend. I hope everyone gets a chance to get outside!
During math we reviewed telling time. The students were introduced to telling time to the nearest five minutes. In first grade students are expected to become 'experts' on telling time to the hour and half hour only. We also practiced graphing skills.
During science we continued our exploration of solids. Students did experiments to test if their solids were able to roll, stack or do both. Students also were asked to rank their solids from softest to hardest. Students are keeping track of their experiments and learning in a science journal.
During writer's workshop we continued to work on our opinion writing about 'the best pet'.
During reading we finished reading Recess at 20 Below and student participated in independent literacy stations while I met with guided reading groups.
Thursday was 'Read Your Shirt Day'. We had almost all students participate! It was fun to have all students read their shirts! The students were curious about my 'Freezin' for a Reason' Polar Plunge shirt and I had to show them the picture of my jump - BRRR!!!
Enjoy the long weekend. I hope everyone gets a chance to get outside!
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Terrific Tuesday!
Today we introduced the quarter! We learned about different combinations of coins which are equivalent to a quarter, and we practiced counting coins with quarters. This was a tricky skill for many students, but know that it is a work in progress. We will continue to practice throughout the rest of the school year. Students are not expected to master counting quarters until second grade.
In science students continued exploring solids. We also learned about the properties of solids, such as color, shape, texture and more.
During our literacy block students continued to write their opinion stories, we read a story titled Recess at 20 Below, and students participated in independent literacy stations!
Please remember tomorrow (Wednesday) students will be dismissed at 1:35.
Enjoy the beautiful day!
In science students continued exploring solids. We also learned about the properties of solids, such as color, shape, texture and more.
During our literacy block students continued to write their opinion stories, we read a story titled Recess at 20 Below, and students participated in independent literacy stations!
Please remember tomorrow (Wednesday) students will be dismissed at 1:35.
Enjoy the beautiful day!
Monday, March 9, 2015
Happy Monday!
We made it through our first day post daylight savings time! The weather has been beautiful! Hopefully you have some time to get out and enjoy it! Please remember students do need snow pants and boots until all the snow has melted from our playground.
Thank you to all families who came in this evening for conferences! Please know if you have any questions or concerns throughout the remainder of the school year my door is always open!
Today in math we reviewed function machines. We practiced finding the missing addend, for example ___ + 3 = 10. Students also practiced addition and subtraction facts.
We went to the computer lab today, and students had an opportunity to use Raz kids or type emails.
Today we switched back to science and began our unit on matter! This will be a fun exploration based unit for students. This week we will be focusing on exploring solids.
In writer's workshop we read the story I Wanna Iguana. The boy in the story gave us many reasons why he should be able to get an iguana for a pet! Then the students each chose the pet that they think would be the best to have! This will be their focus topic for opinion writing this week!
We also learned four new word wall words for this week - can't, don't, rain, who
We changed out literacy stations a little this week. For station one everyone is doing read to self and for station two everyone is responding to a book through writing. This shift has seemed to help keep our classroom a focused and quiet working environment!
Tonight homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.8
Thank you to all families who came in this evening for conferences! Please know if you have any questions or concerns throughout the remainder of the school year my door is always open!
Today in math we reviewed function machines. We practiced finding the missing addend, for example ___ + 3 = 10. Students also practiced addition and subtraction facts.
We went to the computer lab today, and students had an opportunity to use Raz kids or type emails.
Today we switched back to science and began our unit on matter! This will be a fun exploration based unit for students. This week we will be focusing on exploring solids.
In writer's workshop we read the story I Wanna Iguana. The boy in the story gave us many reasons why he should be able to get an iguana for a pet! Then the students each chose the pet that they think would be the best to have! This will be their focus topic for opinion writing this week!
We also learned four new word wall words for this week - can't, don't, rain, who
We changed out literacy stations a little this week. For station one everyone is doing read to self and for station two everyone is responding to a book through writing. This shift has seemed to help keep our classroom a focused and quiet working environment!
Tonight homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.8
Friday, March 6, 2015
Fantastic Friday!
Good Morning!
Today during math we will be practicing addition strategies. Students will also explore with pattern blocks and geoboards.
Students will take their end of unit geography assessment this morning. You can look for the graded assessments to be sent home on Monday.
During literacy students will continue to write opinion pieces. Students will also have independent literacy rotations. We will also have fourth grade reading buddies!
At the end of the day a group of students from South Park Middle School are coming to perform a musical titled 'I Need a Vacation'!
Reminders for next week...
*Parent teacher conferences are Monday evening from 4:00-7:00. Please check your child's folder for a reminder of the scheduled time.
*Wednesday students will be dismissed at 1:35.
*There is no school on Friday.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! It sounds like the weather is going to be nice!
Today during math we will be practicing addition strategies. Students will also explore with pattern blocks and geoboards.
Students will take their end of unit geography assessment this morning. You can look for the graded assessments to be sent home on Monday.
During literacy students will continue to write opinion pieces. Students will also have independent literacy rotations. We will also have fourth grade reading buddies!
At the end of the day a group of students from South Park Middle School are coming to perform a musical titled 'I Need a Vacation'!
Reminders for next week...
*Parent teacher conferences are Monday evening from 4:00-7:00. Please check your child's folder for a reminder of the scheduled time.
*Wednesday students will be dismissed at 1:35.
*There is no school on Friday.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! It sounds like the weather is going to be nice!
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Flags for First Graders
This morning both first grade classes gathered for a presentation called 'Flags for First Graders'. A group of veterans came to teach students about the American flag. The students were taught about all parts of the flag and the importance of respecting the flag. Each student was given a flag to bring home!
Students were chosen to help add the stars and strips to create the flag!
They needed thread to sew the stars and strips together. One of the veterans found thread hiding in a student's hair! :)
It's Thursday!
Today in math we will learn about measuring length using the centimeter. Students will also practice fact families.
This morning we also have a group of veterans coming to present 'Flags for First Graders'.
Students will have music and physical education class today.
We will review our social studies unit of geography using a jeopardy style game. Tomorrow students will take an end of unit assessment.
During our literacy block we will work on opinion writing, practice using parts of words to make other words, and have independent stations.
Today's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.6
*Tomorrow afternoon is the Bathke Book Swap! We had a very generous family donate a number of books to the swap and asked for the tickets to be distributed to students in the classroom to choose books to keep! All students in our class will have a ticket to choose some books at the swap! The book swap will take place from 2:45-3:45 in the music room.
This morning we also have a group of veterans coming to present 'Flags for First Graders'.
Students will have music and physical education class today.
We will review our social studies unit of geography using a jeopardy style game. Tomorrow students will take an end of unit assessment.
During our literacy block we will work on opinion writing, practice using parts of words to make other words, and have independent stations.
Today's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.6
*Tomorrow afternoon is the Bathke Book Swap! We had a very generous family donate a number of books to the swap and asked for the tickets to be distributed to students in the classroom to choose books to keep! All students in our class will have a ticket to choose some books at the swap! The book swap will take place from 2:45-3:45 in the music room.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Literacy Photos
Here are a few photos from our literacy time today!
Students spent time reading on Raz Kids or writing emails in the computer lab.
We end each day with literacy stations. Below are a few photos of students reading with partners, reading to themselves and reading on iPads!
Wonderful Wednesday!
Good morning!
Today we are going to continue reading from the chapter book Beezus and Ramona.
In math students will share the subtraction strategies they use. They will also continue to practice writing fact families and making sums of 10.
When we go to the computer lab students will be able to choose if they want to read on Raz Kids or write using their email account.
In social studies we will continue to learn about land forms. Students will be assessed if they are able to identify at least one land form and one body of water.
We will head to the library this afternoon!
During literacy we will learn about synonyms. Students will also write about something they learned and a 'wonder' they still have about spiders from the magazine article we read earlier this week. We will end our day with literacy stations!
Today's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.5
Today we are going to continue reading from the chapter book Beezus and Ramona.
In math students will share the subtraction strategies they use. They will also continue to practice writing fact families and making sums of 10.
When we go to the computer lab students will be able to choose if they want to read on Raz Kids or write using their email account.
In social studies we will continue to learn about land forms. Students will be assessed if they are able to identify at least one land form and one body of water.
We will head to the library this afternoon!
During literacy we will learn about synonyms. Students will also write about something they learned and a 'wonder' they still have about spiders from the magazine article we read earlier this week. We will end our day with literacy stations!
Today's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.5
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Raz Kids
Raz kids is back up and running!
All students have used Raz kids at school, and it can easily be used at home as well if you have a computer or tablet.
You can access Raz kids from the 'student resources' section. Our class username is 'engleman'.
Raz kids is a collection of books that are based on your child's current reading level. As your child reads books and answers comprehension questions they will be moved up to the next level.
You child will have access to their Raz kids account through the month of August!
Happy Reading! :)
All students have used Raz kids at school, and it can easily be used at home as well if you have a computer or tablet.
You can access Raz kids from the 'student resources' section. Our class username is 'engleman'.
Raz kids is a collection of books that are based on your child's current reading level. As your child reads books and answers comprehension questions they will be moved up to the next level.
You child will have access to their Raz kids account through the month of August!
Happy Reading! :)
Monday, March 2, 2015
Terrific Tuesday!
*In math today we will continue to practice 'fact families' and we will learn about 'fact triangles'. Each fact triangle will help your child to write two addition facts and two subtraction facts.
*In social studies today we will continue to learn about landforms and different bodies of water.
*Students have music and physical education today!
*In writing students will continue working on their first opinion piece about their favorite item from a collection.
*During word work we will play a game to practice the 3rd quarter sight words.
*During our literacy mini lesson we will read a magazine article about spiders and share new information!
This week to celebrate Read Across America week our school is holding a 'Book Swap'. You can send in up to 7 gently used books and your child will get to 'swap' them for other gently used books! What a great way to get new books into your homes!
Tuesday's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.4
*In social studies today we will continue to learn about landforms and different bodies of water.
*Students have music and physical education today!
*In writing students will continue working on their first opinion piece about their favorite item from a collection.
*During word work we will play a game to practice the 3rd quarter sight words.
*During our literacy mini lesson we will read a magazine article about spiders and share new information!
This week to celebrate Read Across America week our school is holding a 'Book Swap'. You can send in up to 7 gently used books and your child will get to 'swap' them for other gently used books! What a great way to get new books into your homes!
Tuesday's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.4
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Marvelous Monday!
Welcome back for another fun filled week of learning in first grade!
*Today all students will get new table spots and carpet spots for the month of March!
*We will continue to read Beezus and Ramona.
*In math today we will be learning about fact families. Here is an example of a 'fact family'...
4+3=7
3+4=7
7-3=4
7-4=3
*We will have time in the computer lab today. Students will use the website 'Brainpop Jr'. to learn about continents and oceans.
*In social studies today we will begin learning about land forms and water forms.
*In writing today we will begin our unit of study on opinion writing. Students were encouraged to bring in a collection to guide them with their first opinion writing piece.
*During our reading mini lesson we will share our background knowledge and thinking to get ready to read a new book about spiders.
*Weekly word wall words: coat, fish, old, upon
*Today's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.3
*Today all students will get new table spots and carpet spots for the month of March!
*We will continue to read Beezus and Ramona.
*In math today we will be learning about fact families. Here is an example of a 'fact family'...
4+3=7
3+4=7
7-3=4
7-4=3
*We will have time in the computer lab today. Students will use the website 'Brainpop Jr'. to learn about continents and oceans.
*In social studies today we will begin learning about land forms and water forms.
*In writing today we will begin our unit of study on opinion writing. Students were encouraged to bring in a collection to guide them with their first opinion writing piece.
*During our reading mini lesson we will share our background knowledge and thinking to get ready to read a new book about spiders.
*Weekly word wall words: coat, fish, old, upon
*Today's homework: Read 20 minutes and Homelink 6.3
Welcome to our Classroom Blog!
Hello!
Welcome to our first grade classroom blog! This blog will be used for a variety of purposes, but mainly as a way to communicate with families about what is happening in our classroom! This blog is going to be replacing our weekly classroom newsletter. It is my goal to post to this blog multiple times per week, which means you will have more opportunities to see what we are learning in our classroom on a daily basis! I hope to add photos from our classroom and maybe even videos! Also, I will be posting links to websites we have used in our classroom or websites that provide more information about our curriculum.
Eventually I hope to have students write about what is happening in our classroom or comment about their favorite parts of our week! I am excited to begin this new phase in our classroom, and I can't wait to see how technology will enhance our communication and open a new door to our learning!
Please visit this blog on a regular basis to see what's happening in first grade! Also, please feel free to comment and ask questions!
Welcome to our first grade classroom blog! This blog will be used for a variety of purposes, but mainly as a way to communicate with families about what is happening in our classroom! This blog is going to be replacing our weekly classroom newsletter. It is my goal to post to this blog multiple times per week, which means you will have more opportunities to see what we are learning in our classroom on a daily basis! I hope to add photos from our classroom and maybe even videos! Also, I will be posting links to websites we have used in our classroom or websites that provide more information about our curriculum.
Eventually I hope to have students write about what is happening in our classroom or comment about their favorite parts of our week! I am excited to begin this new phase in our classroom, and I can't wait to see how technology will enhance our communication and open a new door to our learning!
Please visit this blog on a regular basis to see what's happening in first grade! Also, please feel free to comment and ask questions!
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